Handle lock guard



ct 4, 1938. R. H. CURTIS ET AL 9 9 HANDLE LOCK GUARD Filed April 1, 1938 Patented Oct. 4, 1938 UNITED STATES HANDLE LOCK GUARD Richard H. Curtis, Chicago, and Edward P. Byrnes,

J12, Evanston, Ill.

Application April 1, 1938, Serial No. 199,515 2 Claims. (01. 70-455 This invention relates to a handle lockguard, and more particularly to a guard for preventing water or moisture from entering the keylock of a handle such as is employed ordinarily with automobile doors. The invention obviously is applicable to other uses.

In the washing of automobiles, it is quite common for water to pass into the interior of the keyhole of a handle lock and not only tend to rust the inner parts but also, in the winter time, the water freezes and prevents the operator from being able to open the door. In prior practice, it has been common to apply adhesive tapes, etc., to the door handle, but such means has been found unsatisfactory because of thetendency of the adhesive to cling to the keyhole and for portions thereof to be pressed into the keylocking parts, making it extremely difficult to operate the lock.

An object of the present invention is to provide simple means for excluding moisture, such means being reusable and having no tendency to introduce foreign material into the keyhole. A further object is to provide simple means which, under tension, adapts itself readily to the irregularities of the handle and forms a waterproof covering for the keyhole thereof, such means serving as a protection against water when the car is being washed and also against rain, etc. A further object is to provide an elastic member which may be readily applied to a handle to provide a guard for the keyhole thereof, the elastic material being provided with means whereby it is prevented from clinging or sticking too tightly to the handle while at the same time being waterrepellent. Other specific objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

The invention is illustrated in a preferred embodiment, by the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a handle equipped with a guard embodying our invention; Fig. 2, a perspective View of the guard separate from the handle; Fig. 3, a broken perspective view of the handle equipped with a modified form of guard; Fig. 4, a perspective view of the guard illustrated in Fig. 3; and Fig. 5, a sectional view of a modified form of the invention, the section being taken as indicated at line 5 of Fig. 4.

In the illustration given in Figs. 1 and 2, the automobile handle A is shown equipped with a guard B.

The handle A may be of any suitable type or construction. In the illustration given, it is shown provided with a long handle portion II],

a shaft portion H, and a handle extension 12. In some models of handles, the extension [2 is entirely omitted. The omission of the extension l2 does not affect the application of the guard B.

The guard B is provided with a guard surface 5 portion [3 equipped with straps M which are shown as diametrically opposed, the straps being connected to an elastic band l5.

In the illustration given, the guard B is formed entirely of elastic material. If desired, however, the portion l3 may be formed of a non-elastic waterproof material.

In the form illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, it will be observed that there are relatively wide slots Hi on opposite sides of the guard member B through which the handle may be extended.

In the application of the guard B to the handle A, the long portion ll) of the handle is extended through the ring l5 and then through one of the slots Hi. The extension l2, if there is one, is then passed through the opposite slot I6. Whether there be an extension l2 or not, the ring I5 tightly engages the handle shaft II and locks the guard portion l3 against removal, the handle extension in serving also as a means for confining the band I5 in position.

In the illustration given in Figs. 3 and 4, the guard C is equipped with a central guard portion I1 and with two ring-like end portions I8, the end portions having apertures 49 therein for receiving the handle portions. Between the end rings H, the guard member C is cut away to form a relatively wide recess or opening 20.

In the application of the member C to the handle A, the long portion it of the handle is first extended through the opening C and thence through one of the aperture members E8. The other aperture member I8 is then drawn over the extension I2 of the handle, as shown more clearly in Fig. 3. It will be observed that in the operation just described, the central portion ll of the guard is stretched so as to fully and tightly cover the portion of the handle provided with a keyhole. The tight fit causes the guard portion to cling to the minute irregularities of the handle surface and thus provide tight edges which prevent water from passing thereunder.

In the modification shown in Fig. 5, the rubber or elastic member C is dipped in Wax or other suitable material to form surfacing layers 2| thereon. The wax serves a double function, it Waterproofs the guard member making it repellent to moisture while at the same time it prevents the elastic member from sticking to the handle. Furthermore, it is found that the coating of wax permits the guard to he slid more easily along the handle sides into position and likewise to be removed more easily, the wax presenting a more yielding and slippery surface than the elastic.

The material of the guard has been given for illustration as rubber. It will be understood, however, that other elastic materials may be employed and, if desired, a non-elastic guard portion may be equipped with elastic extensions or retaining portions.

The guard is preferably colored or tinted-in 'eifective for excluding water while at the same time providing no foreign particles which might be pressed into the keylock. It may be reused in the cleaning operation of many cars. If used regularly on a single car, the elastic guard permits the operator to unlock the car Without removing the guard, it being simply necessary to draw the side flap of the guard portion I3, as shown more clearly in Fig. l, to one side when the key is inserted.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

We claim:

1. A guard for a keylock-equipped handle comprising a resilient tubular body having a web .portion adapted to extend over the keylock, said body having also a pair of oppositely disposed openings and a third opening opposite said Web portion.

2. A guard for a keylock-equipped handle comprising a resilient tubular body having an imperforate web portion adapted to extend over the 'keylock, said body having also a pair of oppositely disposed openings and a third opening opposite said Web portion.

RICHARD H. CURTIS. EDWARD P. BYRNES, JR. 

